Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has sharply criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to impose heavy tariffs on India, calling it the “worst outcome” for Washington. According to Bolton, the move not only strained relations with New Delhi but also undermined decades of American efforts to draw India away from Russia and China.
Speaking to CNN, Bolton said the tariffs, which exceeded 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent secondary tariff for purchasing Russian oil, ended up pushing India closer to its traditional allies in Moscow and potentially Beijing. He noted that while Trump avoided escalating his trade dispute with China, he took an unusually heavy-handed approach with India, a decision Bolton called a potentially “enormous mistake.”
Bolton argued that the secondary tariff, intended to weaken Russia by discouraging India’s oil imports, ironically risked strengthening Moscow’s influence. He warned that such measures could encourage India, Russia, and China to coordinate against US interests.
In an Op-Ed for The Hill, Bolton accused Trump of giving Beijing softer treatment on tariffs “in his zeal for a deal” with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This, he said, came at the expense of US strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific.
Despite Washington’s pressure, India has refused to halt its purchase of Russian oil, calling the tariffs “unfair and unreasonable.” Moscow has publicly backed New Delhi’s stance and accused the US of engaging in unlawful trade coercion.
Bolton also pointed out that the timing of Trump’s tariffs could benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is set to meet Trump in the coming week. He suggested that Putin might use the India tariffs as leverage to advance his own agenda.